SHARE YOUR STORY

I feel on top of the world and so proud of my sister just older than me.

Last night, my three sisters came to our home and we had a slumber party of sorts as we went through memoirs gathered from our parents' marriage of nearly 60 years. Today, we arose early, leaving at 6:00 a.m., to get ahead of the Atlanta traffic and drove south for a special engagement.

This morning, I got to witness Laura Lea, along with my other two sisters and a sister-in-law, share her story, her journey of grief and hope. We were hosted by my gracious mother-in-law, Anne, and her monthly WMU circle at First Baptist Church, Thomaston, Georgia.

(SEE TWO PREVIOUS RELATED BLOGS on http://50somethingwoman.blogspot.com
DATED 4/20/09 AND 4/23/09 FOR DETAILS OF LAURA'S STORY)

Every beating heart has a story and Laura Lea told hers today to 40 or more women. Laura took great courage in the way that she shared how God is working in and through her in a very difficult and personal journey. We can all learn and benefit from hearing about struggles and victories that we experience in our day-to-day lives.
We as women can be a great encouragement to one another when we face our challenges shoulder-to-shoulder, strengthening each other as we go along.
While my sisters and I do not consider ourselves particularly talented singers, after Laura shared, we sang a quartet of an old hymn: MY HOPE IS BUILT .
Following our time with the women, my father-in-law, Don, treated us to a wonderful country cookin' lunch at The Peachtree Cafe in Thomaston. During lunch, we raised our glasses of sweet tea to the three celebrating September birthdays and then we took turns edifying Anne by sharing memories of her touch on our lives as we considered her milestone birthday that is coming in December 2009.
All in all, today was a perfect example of how we can support and love the women in our lives. WE only get one chance, only one time around.
Let's be a vehicle for hope...
... by sharing, encouraging and supporting the women in our lives.